Which statement about steroid hormones is accurate?

Steroid hormones are indeed derived from cholesterol, which is the correct statement. Cholesterol serves as the foundational molecule from which steroid hormones are synthesized. This group of hormones includes well-known examples such as cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen. Because they originate from a fat-based molecule, steroid hormones possess the ability to easily cross cell membranes, which are primarily composed of lipid layers.

Once inside the cell, steroid hormones can bind to specific intracellular receptors, leading to changes in gene expression and producing longer-lasting effects compared to hormones that act through surface receptors. This characteristic of steroid hormones highlights their mode of action, which differs significantly from that of hormones that are water-soluble and bind to receptors on the cell surface.

The other options present inaccuracies regarding the nature of steroid hormones. They are not soluble in water, which means they do not act quickly in the same manner as peptide hormones; they also do not bind to surface receptors, as they act on intracellular targets; and contrary to what one of the options suggests, steroid hormones are primarily produced in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes, rather than the pituitary gland, which produces peptide hormones.